Distribution Methods For Distributing And Dispensing Beverages And Liquid Food Products

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method of distributing beverages or liquid food products including transportation, by a commercial distributor, or flexible bags ( 10 ) filled with the beverage or liquid food products. Flexible bags ( 10 ) are located in the bulk transport containers ( 30 ) and transported to consumers of the product in required quantities. Flexible bags ( 10 ) are delivered to a consumer, the beverage or liquid food product being dispensed for consumption ban an end consumer. Through each step in the distribution method, hazard and critical control points during distribution and dispensing are minimised, the “one way” nature of the preferred embodiment of the method minimising recovery and recycling costs at well as potential hygiene problems associated with re-use of containers currently in use.

This invention relates to methods for distributing and dispensingbeverages and liquid food products.

Bottled water distribution is one of the most important markets in thefood industry, with a value in the billions of US dollars.

Currently, bottled drinking water is distributed to customers usinglarge polycarbonate bottles. Such bottles traditionally hold 15-19litres of product and, correspondingly, weigh between 15-19 kg. Thesebottles are recycled but the hygiene practices necessary to provide somemeasure of integrity pose an ongoing problem for the industry.

Hygiene is a major consideration. Maintaining the HACCP (Hazard andCritical Control Points) system when a bottle has been used by aconsumer, returned without a cap and subsequently stored by a retailerprior to washing and sterilising the bottles is difficult. It isdifficult to monitor whether the bottle has been put to storage of toxicsubstances or substances incompatible with the safe distribution ofbottled water. Contamination is a difficult problem to detect prior toconsumption. Taint/discolouring or chemical after taste of water arefamiliar problems.

Second, usage of the large polycarbonate bottles pose risk of injury topersonnel distributing the bottles or customers of drinking watersupplied in the bottles. If the bottles fall, they may cause significantinjury. This raises a significant occupational health and safety issue.

Third, storage, transportation and recovery of bottles createssignificant expense. If bottles are trucked to distribution points andcustomers, by larger trucks, as is usual practice, the biggest costissue is the Cubic Metre rate charged for empty or full cages withwasted area due to the round bottles. Rising fuel prices do not assist.Such trucks may also require a lifting device to cope with the heavybottles. Usage of caged trucks may also create exposure to dust/oil etcand other forms of airborne contaminants whilst the bottles are on thetray of the truck. This may lead to product of unhygienic quality. Thereis thus an overlap between the contamination problems discussed aboveand the transport economics issue.

Fourth, polycarbonate or like bottles are typically provided with aplastic seal or cap that the customer or operator must remove prior toplacing the bottle in a dispenser. Spillage and wastage of drinkingwater may result as a bottle is inverted and placed into a dispensingposition in the dispenser. Insects, airborne bacteria and dust may alsopollute the water at this point making it unhygienic.

It is an object of the present invention to provide methods and devicesfor distributing and dispensing beverages, such as drinking water, tocustomers that address the above described health, safety and costissues with prior art distribution methods and devices.

With this object in view, the present invention provides a method ofdistributing flexible bags filled with beverage or liquid food productunder sterile conditions, preferably through a spout or tap forming partof each flexible bag, to a consumer of said beverage or liquid foodproduct in return for payment and comprising the following steps ofdistribution:

a) locating said flexible bags filled with beverage or liquid foodproduct in a bulk transport container having capacity for a plurality offlexible bags;

b) transportation, by a commercial distributor, of the bulk transportcontainer in which the filled flexible bags are located to a consumer ofsaid beverage or liquid food product; and

c) unloading a required quantity of flexible bags for delivery to theconsumer; and

d) delivering each flexible bag for dispensing the beverage or liquidfood product contained in the flexible bag to be consumed by an endconsumer, wherein, through each step, hazard and critical control pointsduring distribution of beverage and liquid food products are minimised.

Such hazards associated with beverage or food include physical hazards,such as of impact injury, or chemical or biological hazards such asposed by toxins, microbes or other contaminants. Critical control pointsare points in the distribution system where such potential hazards canbe minimised or avoided.

The commercial distributor may, itself, fill the flexible bags withdrinking water, other beverages, such as fruit juices, milk and so on orother liquid food products using an automated filling or packaging lineunder sterile conditions. Such liquids may have comparable densityand/or viscosity to water. It is not intended that the flexible bags bere-used. The distribution method may be “one way”. There is norequirement for the flexible bags to be recovered for re-use, thusincurring the hazards of contamination which are difficult to detect andwhich erode the integrity of the HACCP chain as described above. Thatis, the distributor “disposes”, in a property sense, of the flexiblebags. Storage costs and recovery costs may also be avoided. However, acustomer can use a recycle or disposal service so that the material ofthe flexible bag can be re-used or responsibility disposed of.

Flexible bags are desirably filled through a tap, outlet, spout, valveor other dispenser forming part of the bag rather than through a form,fill and seal method which is a way of beneficially avoiding a criticalcontrol point being a residue from that sealing process. In addition,such a bag is sealed in the manufacturing process and not in the fillingprocess. Thus, a better quality seal is achieved. Special polymersealing devices may also be avoided, saving cost. The tap may be fittedto the bag after manufacture. Any form of flexible bag, preferably ofsimple, hygienic and inexpensive construction, can otherwise be used.

The commercial distributor may also mount, for example by positioning,the flexible bags in a dispenser for dispensing the drinking water,other beverage or liquid food product. The distributor may supplydispensers to customers on a rental, sale or other basis as part of thedistribution service. The distributor may service the dispensers inaccordance with a maintenance schedule. The dispenser, when arefrigerated cooler, is equipped with cooling means. Drinking water istypically chilled prior to customer consumption so a dispenser fordrinking water would usually incorporate a chilling unit.

The bulk transport container used for transportation of the flexiblebags is intended to accommodate a plurality of flexible bags whileadvantageously being adaptive to varying quantities of these bags inaccordance with consumer demand. In other words, the bulk transportcontainer is, advantageously, of variable capacity and/or collapsible.Packaging or “boxing” of individual flexible bags is avoided. In thisway, easier and less expensive inventory management may be achieved witheconomics not requiring that a large minimum quantity of product, asnecessary with polycarbonate bottled water distribution systems, beaccepted by a distributor or sub-distributor.

A suitable bulk transport container is a bulk transport container ofcubic or analogous design having smooth wall and base construction withprovision for a side-gate for readier access. The construction of thecontainer reduces risk of damage to, and contamination of, the flexiblebags during transportation or storage (critical control points). Thecontainer may be made of polymer, such as High Density Polypropylene,(HDPP) suitable for use in food grade environments. Such a container maybe collapsible to achieve variable capacity. The return ratio of thebulk transport container may be selected to achieve efficient use ofstorage space and enable economic use of transport vehicles withoutwastage of space on the vehicle. The containers are stackable.

The flexible bags may be filled in a central location and thendistributed to distribution centres prior to distribution to multiplecustomers in multiple locations. Direct distribution from the centrallocation is an alternative. A central distributor may, in a franchisingsystem, authorise franchisees or others to distribute beveragesand/liquid food products in accordance with the method of the invention.Capacity of the bulk transport container is varied in accordance withthe volume of beverage or liquid food product to be delivered. The bulktransport container may be employed in collapsed state for smallervolumes and flexible bag inventory. Supervision of deliveries, inventoryand payment may be conducted using a computer system.

The flexible bags may incorporate at least one handle. The handle(s)allow easier lifting and may accommodate support means to position orhold the flexible bag in a dispenser allowing substantially completedrainage of the liquid contents from the flexible bag to minimisewastage. The handle may crimp a flexible bag within a grip of thehandle. The handles may allow positioning or holding of the flexible bagwithin the dispensers. The flexible bags may be cylindrical in shapewhen filled or may adopt a cylindrical shape when placed within thedispenser. The bags may accommodate any desired volume such as a volumeof less than 15 litres, preferably between 10 to 15 litres, of product,the aim being to reduce hazard if the bags are dropped during transport.

Dispensers suitable for holding flexible bags may comprise a housing tolocate the flexible bags during dispensing of the beverage or liquidfood product and minimise contamination. The housing may include asupport means, which may co-operate with handles(s) forming part of theflexible bag, to support the flexible bag within the housing. Acylindrical housing or a housing with a cylindrical inner surface mayaccommodate flexible bags that adopt the shape of a cylinder wheninserted into the housing. Seams of the flexible bags may be arrangedsuch that a cylindrical shape is formed on filling of the flexible bags.A base of the housing may be angled, or otherwise configured, withrespect to a vertical axis of the housing to allow substantiallycomplete drainage of the contents of the flexible bag from the dispenserunder gravity to a tap or other delivery means for water or liquid foodproduct to a consumer. The base could be formed with a contour or funnelshape. A housing may be of flared construction to facilitate positioningof a flexible bag within the dispenser. A positioning or hangingarrangement for a flexible bag may be avoided in this manner though itmay be adopted if desired. The chilling unit may be arranged to chillthe base of the housing of the dispenser.

The flexible bag may be provided with, or communicated with, an outletspout tap or valve which may co-operate with other delivery meansforming part of the dispenser to deliver the beverage or liquid foodproduct for consumption by the customer. The tap may be accommodatedwithin a slot or bore formed within the housing of the dispenser. Thetap is fed by gravity. Pumped systems in which liquid product requiresto be pumped from the flexible bag are desirably and advantageouslyavoided. A shield, for example of polymeric or composite material, maybe disposed between the flexible bag and the inner wall of the housingof the dispenser to protect the lower portion of the flexible bag andtap from damage. The shield may be located proximate the tap, valve orspout of the bag and/or slot or bore in the housing of the dispenser.

Commercial distributors may conduct any or each of the steps of themethod as a single entity, a vertically integrated entity and/or throughone or more parties selected from the group of their contractors,servants or agents.

Consumers may be domestic, industrial or commercial consumers.“Consumers” may be bailees of the filled flexible bags on behalf ofothers. That is, “consumers” as used herein may encompass owners andoperators of storage facilities for storage of the filled bags on behalfof the commercial distributor. The “end consumer” is an individual orgroup of individuals which actually consumes the beverage. A consumermay also comprise a community to which water or other beverages andliquid food products require to be supplied for health, hygiene orsupply restriction reasons caused by war or natural disaster. Suchcommunities may be remotely located from major population centres.

The invention may be more fully understood from the followingdescription of preferred embodiments thereof made with reference to thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 a is a side view of an unfilled flexible bag used in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the distribution method of the invention;

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of the tap fitted to the flexible bag ofFIG. 1 a;

FIG. 1 c is a front view of a handle for the flexible bag of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 1 d is a top view of the handle of FIG. 1 c;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transport vehicle loaded with bulktransport containers loaded with filled flexible bags in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the distribution method of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective section view of a bulk transport containerfilled with flexible bags for distribution in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the distribution method of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bulk transport container of FIG. 3in collapsed condition with approximately one third of maximum capacity;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bulk transport container of FIG. 4in expanded condition or full capacity as used in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the distribution method of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dispenser, being a refrigeratedcooler, loaded with a filled flexible bag in accordance with a furtheraspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dispenser, being a refrigeratedcooler, suitable for bench top application;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the housing of a dispenser suitable foruse in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the distribution methodof the present invention;

FIG. 9 a is a top view of the housing of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 9 b is a front view of the housing of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 c is a side view of the housing of FIG. 8 and

FIG. 10 is a front view of a shield to protect a tap of a dispenser usedin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the distribution method ofthe present invention.

In accordance with the distribution method of the invention, adistributor of a beverage or liquid food product procures flexible bags10, of the form shown in Figure la,. Such bags 10 are of polymericconstruction suitable for food grade applications, and designed towithstand ordinary handling which could involve wear. Such flexible bags10 are fitted at tap hole 12 or formed with a valve, spout or tapthrough which a beverage, for example, drinking water, is directed tofill the bag. A suitable tap 20 is described in U.S. Pat. Nos 6,296,157and 6,360,925, in the name of Scholle Corporation, the contents of whichare hereby incorporated by reference. Such a tap 20 is shown inperspective in FIG. 1 b. It has an actuator 21 to actuate flow of liquidand a ribbed end 22 to allow socket fitting into tap hole 12, the ribsforming the seal with a smooth internal bore of the tap hole 12.Avoidance of threading of end 22 avoids potential risk of abrasion andflow of debris into the liquid product and contaminating it. Theflexible bag 10 is of rectangular shape, when flat, and is provided witha pocket 14 disposed between seams 11 of the bag 10. Transverse seams 11and 17 and longitudinal seams 19 are formed in the bag 10. A handle 15,as shown in detail in FIGS. 1 c and 1 d, may be fitted through thepocket 14 to support the bag 10 in a dispenser or to facilitate carriageby distributor or consumer. The illustrated handle 15 is of polyethyleneor propylene formed in a loop. Rod portion 15 b may be inserted throughpocket 14 of bag 10 and secured by fitting sleeve 1 5c over a barbportion 15 a of rod portion 15 b. Loop 15 d allows the handle 15 to bepositioned or hung in a dispenser, as shown in FIG. 6, for example by alocator. The volume of a single bag is about 11 litres filled and weighsless than 12 kg (density of water 1.0 g/cc at ambient conditions) thoughbags of flexible or different volume may be catered for. Seams 16 and 17are arranged such that, when placed in a dispenser, a “funnel” orcontour will be formed at the base of bag 10 to facilitate drainage ofliquid product to the base under gravity. The diagonal disposition ofseams 16 illustrate how the funnel is formed. This minimises wastage ofliquid product.

The distributor of drinking water uses a conventional automatedpackaging or filling line, to fill flexible bags 10, under sterileconditions as dictated by applicable health or quality standards, withdrinking water. Other beverages or liquid food products are alternativeproduct options. Drinking water applications are described from here onby way of advantageous example. A large number of flexible bags 10 maybe filled continuously over a period of time. The packaging line may beoperated continuously or intermittently and may be arranged to deliverdifferent liquid products, that is, water, orange juice and so on duringa filling run. Flexible bags 10 do not require individual packaging incontainers such as boxes or other bags as familiar in the “bag in box”art. Indeed, this is very desirably avoided with cost savings.Arrangement of seams 11, 17 and 19 may enable the flexible bag 10 toadopt a cylindrical shape on filling.

Filled flexible bags 10 are located within a bulk transport container 30as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. No specific mounting is required usinghangers, straps or the like. The bags 10 are neatly stacked in thecontainer. Such a bulk container 30 is available under the trade markGEM.CON from Chep International. Such a container 30 has smooth wall andbase construction with provision for a side-gate for readier access.Slots 32 in the wall allow lifting by forklift truck as necessary. Lid31 is detachable and may be tamper proof. The container may be made ofpolymer, such as High Density Polypropylene (HDPP), suitable for use infood grade environments. The construction of bulk transport container 30helps protect flexible bags 10 from damage or contamination duringtransportation. Such a container 30 is collapsible with return ratioselected to achieve efficient use of storage space and enable economicuse of transport vehicles without wastage of space on/in the vehicle.Container 30 has an about 3:1 return ratio allowing its volume to bereduced by up to two thirds, as necessary, and as illustrated bycomparison of FIGS. 4 and 5 enabling more efficient use of storage spaceduring warehousing and transportation. This may be achieved by foldingof the walls of container 30 to the most appropriate capacity for thenumber of flexible bags 10 of liquid food product or beverage to bedelivered. The detachable lid 31 is then placed into position.Flexibility in selection of transport vehicle to save transport costs isalso achieved by ability to vary capacity of container 30.

A single bulk transport container 30 may accommodate 60-65 of the 11Litre volume flexible bags. Container 30 helps to isolate bags 10 fromdust and oil contamination. Such bulk transport containers 30 may thenbe placed in a vehicle of suitable selected storage capacity including aland transport vehicle, water transport vehicle or aircraft fortransportation of the container and drinking water to any desiredlocation. FIG. 2 shows a flat top truck 50 loaded with a number of bulktransport containers 30 stacked in two layers for a large bulk delivery.Such location may be a remote location affected by war, disaster orshortage of drinking water.

A commercial distributor, being a supplier of drinking water tocustomers of residential, industrial or commercial kind, may transportthe bulk transport containers 30 directly to, or may supervise thetransportation to, customers and consumers. While the distributor maytransport drinking water directly to a consumer, for example from acentral location, the distributor may supply to sub-distributors orfranchisees of a beverage supplier for distribution to consumers. Bulktransport containers 30 may have variable capacity adaptive to variousdelivery sizes. Such franchisees, included within the definition of“commercial distributor” used in this specification, may be suppliedfrom a central location and transport economics may allow smallerquantities of beverage (drinking water) to be economically supplied tocustomers than is possible with a bottled water distribution systemwhere bottle storage space may create lack of economy. Avoidance ofbottles also limits safety issues for personnel lifting bottles.Flexible bags are less likely to cause injury than rigid bottles havingless weight and impact.

The distributor or franchisee may assist the customer by mounting afilled flexible bag 10 containing beverage within a dispenser 40 being arefrigerated cooler. A suitable dispenser will be described below withreference to FIGS. 6 to 10. The commercial distributor may supply suchdispenser(s) 40 to customers as part of the distribution service. Thedistributor may provide the customer with after-sales service directedbut not limited to: nature of beverages and liquid food productsavailable, use of dispensers, supply of dispensers and payment options.Such services may be provided by a computer which supervises managementof product inventory, account payments, maintenance schedules and so on.

The commercial distributor will not plan to recover the flexible bagsfor re-use, but rather “disposes” of the flexible bags 10 on delivery tothe consumer. In this way, hygiene problems implicit in prior bottledwater distribution methods that require re-use of bottles is avoided.Adverse economics due to bottle recovery, storage and cleaning costs arealso avoided. The commercial distributor disposes of the flexible bags10 by delivery to the consumer for consumption of the beverage or liquidfood product without taint or adverse effect due to recycling of thedelivery container.

FIG. 6 shows a dispenser 40, being a refrigerated cooler, having aninternal housing 42 in which a filled flexible bag 10 is located. Theflexible bag 10 filled with drinking water, adopts cylindrical shape,when located within housing 42. Provision of lateral seams 19 andtransverse seam 17 of flexible bag 10 assist in achievement of thecylindrical shape. Housing 42 is located on a stand 44. Housing 42incorporates a chilling unit 46. The chilling unit 46 may be constructedfollowing knowledge in the refrigeration art. Housing 42 is providedwith removable cover 48, the cover being provided with aesthetic designto enhance customer appeal. Both housing 42 and cover 48 are providedwith a slot or bore 49 through which extends tap 20, as above described,for dispensing drinking water to a consumer.

Such dispensing of drinking water is assisted by positioning or hangingflexible bag 10 by handle 15 (see FIG. 1 c) by loop 15 d placed on alocator or other suitable means located on the side wall of housing 42beneath removable cover 48. Specifically, the hanging arrangementassists gravity flow of drinking water to tap 20. Gravity flow isfurther assisted by the “funnel” or contour formed by the arrangement ofseams 16 and 17 when bag 10 is located in housing 42. The dispenser 40is not provided with a pump to deliver water through tap 20 to theconsumer. Cost and complexity may thus be avoided.

FIG. 7 illustrates a dispenser 140 without a stand 44. In this case, thedispenser 140 is an ambient dispenser located on a bench top 60.

FIGS. 8 and 9 provide more detail of the construction of housing 42.Housing 42 is here illustrated to be of cylindrical section but open,along much of its length, along a dispensing segment 43 of the housing42. A slot or bore 49 is located at a base 42 a of the housing 42 butwith a sufficient rim or wall 47 to contain a flexible bag 10. Base 42 aof housing 42 is angled, at between 15-20°, to horizontal at the bottomslot or bore 49, to provide a downward gradient from the rear wall 42 bof housing 42 toward slot or bore 49. This also assists dispensing ofdrinking water because the flexible bag 10 Thus, bag 10, when indispensing position, may have a sloping “floor” that facilitatesdrainage of drinking water toward slot or bore 49 and tap 20 fordispensing to a consumer. A shield 70, of planar and arcuateconstruction, and as shown in FIG. 10, may be disposed within rim 47between tap 20 and tap hole 12 of bag 10 to prevent wear or piercing offlexible bag 10 at this point. Aperture 71 of shield 70 is fitted overactuator 21 after the tap 20 is fitted to flexible bag 10 thus holdingit in position proximate the tap 20 protecting the flexible bag 10 inthis region. Cuts in aperture 71 facilitate such positioning. Shields 70may be of a polymeric or composite construction. Shields 70 and handles15 may be supplied in separate bags or kits, which may also be conveyedin bulk transport container 30, and may be installed by the distributor.Shield 70 is shown installed in FIG. 6 in dashed outline.

Base 42 a of housing 42 may be arranged relative to a chilling unit 46such that base 42 a is chilled, thus chilling drinking water withinflexible bag 30. Chilling unit 46 is only included as required.Refrigeration coils may perform the chilling duty. Additional chillingmay be required for bags 10 of greater volume.

Once bag 10 is positioned within housing 42 of dispenser 40 andremovable cover 48 is placed into position, the dispenser 40 can beoperated and tap 20 actuated by actuator 21 to deliver drinking water tothe consumer. If desired, a bag 10 may be pre-chilled in a refrigeratorprior to placement in dispenser housing 42.

Modifications and variations to the distribution methods and devices fordistributing and dispensing beverages and liquid food products inaccordance with the present invention may be apparent to the skilledreader. Such modifications and variations are deemed within the scope ofthe present invention. In particular, any liquid food product orbeverage may be distributed and dispensed in accordance with the methodsand devices of the invention.

1. A method of distributing flexible bags filled with a beverage orliquid food product under sterile conditions to a consumer of saidbeverage or liquid food product in return for payment and comprising theof: a) locating said flexible bags, filled with said beverage or liquidfood product, in a bulk transport container having a capacity for aplurality of flexible bags; b) transportation, by a commercialdistributor, of the bulk transport container, in which the filledflexible bags are located, to a consumer of said beverage or liquid foodproduct; c) unloading a required quantity of flexible bags filled withbeverage or liquid food product for delivery to the consumer; and d)delivering each flexible bag for dispensing the beverage or liquid foodproduct contained in the flexible bag o be consumed by an end consumer,wherein, through each step, hazard and critical control points duringdistribution and dispensing are minimized.
 2. The method of claim 1further comprising the step of filling said flexible bags through aspout or tap forming part of each flexible bag thereby avoiding residuefrom a sealing process.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the commercialdistributor fills the flexible bags.
 4. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid beverage contained in a flexible bag is drinking water.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 wherein said distribution method is “one way” withoutrecovery of flexible bags for re-use.
 6. The method of claim 4 whereinsaid commercial distributor positions said flexible bag containing waterin a dispenser for delivery of the water to the end consumer
 7. Themethod of claim 6 wherein said commercial distributor supplies andmaintains the dispenser in return for payment.
 8. The method of claim 4wherein said bulk transport container is of a variable capacity adaptiveto varying quantities of flexible bags in accordance with consumerdemand.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said bulk transport containeris of a cubic design having a smooth wall and base construction therebyreducing risk of damage to, and contamination of, said flexible bags.10. The method of claim 9 wherein said bulk transport container is madeof a polymer suitable for use in food grade environments.
 11. The methodof claim 6 wherein the flexible bag incorporates at least one handle.12. The method of claim 11 wherein said flexible bag is positioned insaid dispenser by said at least one handle.
 13. The method of claim 12wherein said flexible bag, when positioned in said dispenser, allowssubstantially complete drainage of the liquid contents from saidflexible bag.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said dispenser has ahousing having a base, the base being angled with respect to a verticalaxis of the housing, to allow substantially complete drainage of theliquid contents from said flexible bag.
 15. The method of claim 14wherein said housing of said dispenser has an inner wall and a shield islocated between said flexible bag and said inner wall of said housing toprotect a lower portion of the flexible bag from damage.
 16. The methodof claim 15 wherein said flexible bag is communicated with a tap fordelivery of water for consumption by the consumer and said shield islocated proximate said tap.
 17. The method of claim 1 wherein acommercial distributor comprises at least one party selected from thegroup consisting of: a single entity, and a vertically integratedentity, servants, contractors and agents of either entity.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 wherein a consumer is a bailee of the flexible bags.19. A method of distributing drinking water contained in flexible bagsfilled with drinking water under sterile conditions to a consumer ofdrinking water in return for payment and comprising the following stepsa) filling the flexible bags with water through a spout or tap formingpart of each flexible bag; b) locating said flexible bags filled withdrinking water in a bulk transport container having a capacity for aplurality of flexible bags; c) transportation, by the commercialdistributor, of the bulk transport container, in which the filledflexible bags are located, to a consumer of said drinking water; d)unloading of required quantity of flexible bags filled with drinkingwater for delivery to the consumer; and e) mounting a flexible bag in adispenser for dispensing the drinking water for to an end consumer,wherein, said distribution method is “one way”, without recovery offlexible bags for re-use, and wherein, through each step, hazard andcritical control points during distribution of the drinking water areminimized.